Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a dry needling therapy that targets chronic pain, muscle tightness, and dysfunction. IMS promotes pain relief, muscle relaxation, and improved function by inserting fine, sterile needles into specific trigger points or tight muscle bands. The treatment works by stimulating natural pain-relieving chemicals, enhancing blood flow, and reducing inflammation in the affected areas. IMS can help with a variety of conditions, including:
Individuals experiencing persistent pain, muscle stiffness, or limited mobility can benefit from IMS as an alternative to medication-based pain management. Human Integrated Performance now offers IMS or dry needling therapy at our multidisciplinary health clinic in West Edmonton. Talk to a professional to find out if IMS is right for you.
IMS offers a range of benefits for athletes, seniors, skilled trades workers, and anyone experiencing chronic pain and muscle tightness. If it’s your first time coming in for IMS, your practitioner will take the time to sit down with you to explain the process and answer all of your questions. Before proceeding, we will ensure that you clearly understand the treatment and its potential benefits. IMS is a safe, scientifically-backed technique that can help promote healing in the body by targeting chronic pain, muscle tightness, and dysfunction. IMS can improve your overall physical function and well-being by addressing these issues. Book an assessment today.
Sports psychology is the study of how psychological factors impact sports, athletic performance, fitness, and physical activity. Sports psychologists research how participating in sports may enhance one’s health and happiness. They also try to help athletes improve their performance by encouraging them. The majority of sports psychologist jobs entail working with athletes on motivation and stress management. Sport psychology will help athlets build fundamental mental skills including goalsetting, confidence, relaxation, positive self-talk, routine, visualization, emotional management, stress management, and self-awareness.
Our Sports psychologists work with athletes on motivation, stress, and other psychological factors that can affect performance. They help athletes improve their performance by teaching them how to manage these factors. Sports psychology is a relatively new field, and there is still much research to be done in this area. However, sports psychologists have already made a significant impact on the world of sports.
Torn ligaments in your heels can cause Plantar Fasciitis. If the tear is not treated, it could be uncomfortable for you to walk or stand. Our team of chiropractors can identify the root cause of this discomfort and work with you to decrease the severity of the pain you’re experiencing.
Myofascial massage therapy will relax tense muscles and reduce pain. It is best treated using trigger point massage therapy.
You can effectively treat soft tissue strains or injuries with Swedish, deep tissue, and trigger point therapy. This helps to reduce tension, stiffness, and spasms. It also relieves pain.
Neck pain can be caused by multiple factors, such as poor posture, over-strenuous movement, injury, worn joints, or even disease. We have several treatment options that can help you recover, by reducing stiffness and strengthening the neck muscles.
Patients often report pain or weakness on either the inside or outside of the elbow which is worsened with computer work, lifting or gripping and repetitive activities. There are many ways that tennis and golfer’s elbow can be successfully treated, including Shockwave, Graston, or Active Release. It is important to ice the elbow to help reduce inflammation during the healing process.
Tennis Elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is most commonly caused by repetitive stress and or weakness of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. Pain or tenderness is local to the outside of the elbow but can move down the forearm and into the hand.
Occupational injuries usually result from accidents or work-related activities that require repetitive motion. This can cause long-term stress on the body, which can lead to further problems if left untreated. We help our clients recover from work-related injuries back to health, to get you back to work faster.
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a type of manual therapy that involves the insertion of thin, solid needles into the muscle tissue to release tension and relieve pain. It is a form of acupuncture, but it focuses more specifically on the muscles rather than the traditional Chinese acupuncture points.
IMS is based on the theory that chronic pain is often caused by muscle shortening, which puts pressure on nerves and causes pain signals to be sent to the brain. By inserting needles into the shortened muscle fibers, IMS can stimulate a healing response and help to release the tension in the muscle tissue, thereby reducing pain and restoring normal movement.
IMS is typically performed by a trained practitioner, such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor, who will assess the patient’s muscle tension and pain levels before inserting the needles. The needles are usually left in place for a few minutes, and the treatment may be repeated several times over the course of several weeks to achieve optimal results.
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is a type of manual therapy that involves the insertion of thin, solid needles into the muscle tissue to release tension and relieve pain. It is a form of acupuncture, but it focuses more specifically on the muscles rather than the traditional Chinese acupuncture points.
IMS is based on the theory that chronic pain is often caused by muscle shortening, which puts pressure on nerves and causes pain signals to be sent to the brain. By inserting needles into the shortened muscle fibers, IMS can stimulate a healing response and help to release the tension in the muscle tissue, thereby reducing pain and restoring normal movement.
IMS is typically performed by a trained practitioner, such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor, who will assess the patient’s muscle tension and pain levels before inserting the needles. The needles are usually left in place for a few minutes, and the treatment may be repeated several times over the course of several weeks to achieve optimal results.
IMS can be used to treat a variety of conditions that are associated with chronic pain and muscle tension. Some of the most common conditions that IMS is used to treat include:
1. Back pain: IMS can be used to target trigger points in the muscles of the lower back, which are often associated with chronic back pain.
2. Neck pain: IMS can be used to target trigger points in the neck muscles, which can help to relieve tension and reduce pain.
3. Headaches: IMS can be used to target trigger points in the muscles of the head and neck, which can help to relieve tension headaches.
4. Frozen shoulder: IMS can be used to target trigger points in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, which can help to improve the range of motion and reduce pain.
5. Tennis elbow: IMS can be used to target trigger points in the forearm muscles, which can help to relieve pain and improve grip strength.
6. Knee pain: IMS can be used to target trigger points in the muscles surrounding the knee joint, which can help to reduce pain and improve knee function.
Overall, IMS is often used as a complementary treatment for musculoskeletal pain and can be an effective option for many people who have not found relief from other therapies. However, it is important to consult a qualified practitioner before undergoing any manual therapy, including IMS.
IMS works by targeting trigger points within the muscle tissue using thin needles. These trigger points are areas of tightness and tenderness that can cause pain and discomfort. By inserting needles into these trigger points, IMS stimulates a healing response, releases tension, and increases blood flow to the affected area, leading to a reduction in pain and muscle tightness over the course of several sessions.
IMS treatment can cause some mild discomfort or pain during the insertion of the needles, but this usually subsides quickly. Patients may feel a sensation of deep pressure or a slight ache as the needles are inserted into the trigger points within the muscle tissue. However, the discomfort is typically short-lived and is often outweighed by the potential benefits of IMS treatment.
After the needles are removed, some patients may experience temporary soreness or muscle stiffness in the treated area. This is a normal response to the treatment and typically subsides within a few hours to a day. Overall, while IMS treatment may cause some mild discomfort or pain during the procedure, it is generally well-tolerated and is considered a safe and effective treatment option for many people with chronic pain and muscle tension.
The length of an IMS session can vary depending on the individual needs of the patient and the area being treated. Typically, an IMS session can last between 15 and 30 minutes, although some sessions may be longer or shorter depending on the specific treatment plan. During the session, the practitioner will insert needles into the targeted trigger points within the muscle tissue, and the needles will be left in place for several minutes. After the needles are removed, the patient may be advised to rest for a short period before resuming normal activities. The number of sessions required can also vary depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition being treated. Your practitioner will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs and goals.
The number of IMS sessions needed to see results can vary depending on the individual’s condition, the severity of their symptoms, and other factors. Some patients may experience significant relief after just one session, while others may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results.
In general, a course of IMS treatment may involve several sessions spaced out over a period of weeks or months. The number of sessions can range from 2-3 to 10-12, depending on the individual’s condition and response to treatment. In some cases, ongoing maintenance sessions may be recommended to help prevent the return of symptoms.
It’s important to note that IMS is often used as a complementary therapy and may be combined with other treatments, such as massage or physiotherapy, to achieve the best results. Your healthcare practitioner will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and will monitor your progress to determine the optimal number of IMS sessions for your individual needs.
Like any medical treatment, IMS has potential side effects and risks. However, IMS is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified healthcare practitioner. Common side effects of IMS may include mild soreness or bruising at the needle insertion sites, temporary muscle weakness or fatigue, and minor bleeding or infection at the needle insertion site.
Patients with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, infections, or allergies to certain metals, may not be suitable candidates for IMS. It’s important to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns with your healthcare practitioner before beginning IMS treatment.
Overall, IMS is generally considered a safe and effective treatment option for many people with chronic pain and muscle tension. However, it’s important to work with a qualified healthcare practitioner who has experience in performing IMS and to follow all post-treatment instructions to minimize the risk of complications.
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